Recording and/or reproducing apparatus and recording medium cartridge holder

ABSTRACT

A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/or reproducing signals on and/or from a recording medium includes a recording and/or reproducing portion for recording and/or reproducing signals on and/or from the recording medium, a carrying portion for carrying the recording medium, and first and second sliders. The first slider is movable in one direction for moving the carrying portion together with the recording medium up to a specific withdrawal position. The second slider is movable in a direction being substantially the same as the one direction for moving the recording medium carried by the carrying portion to a recording and/or reproducing position corresponding to a position of the recording and/or reproducing portion. The first slider and the second slider are overlapped to each other in the vertical direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a new recording and/orreproducing apparatus and a new recording medium cartridge holder. Inparticular, the present invention relates to a technique for realizingspace saving of a recording and/or reproducing apparatus, and to atechnique for preventing improper insertion of a recording mediumcartridge, that is, insertion of a recording medium cartridge in anorientation other than a normal orientation in a recording mediumcartridge holder with a simple mechanism.

[0002] In recording and/or reproducing apparatuses for recording and/orreproducing signals on and/or from a recording medium disk, it isrequired to provide a loading mechanism, that is, a mechanism forwithdrawing the recording medium disk to a specific position in anapparatus main body and mounting the recording medium disk to a specificmounting position, and also to provide a mode formation mechanism, thatis, a mechanism for bringing each of members into a specific statesuitable for a reproducing or recording mode.

[0003] In related art recording and/or reproducing apparatuses, theabove-described loading mechanism and mode formation mechanism have beenprovided at separate locations, particularly, as viewed from above, asindividual mechanisms. Accordingly, there has arisen a problem thatsince these mechanisms are disposed at respective spaces, it is requiredto ensure a large space for these mechanisms in the apparatus.

[0004] On the other hand, there has been known a recording mediumcartridge configured such that a recording medium is contained in a flatcartridge case formed into a rectangular shape having a long-side andshort-side as viewed from above, wherein the recording medium cartridgeis inserted with its long-side portion directed forwardly in theinsertion direction.

[0005] In a recording and/or reproducing apparatus using theabove-described recording medium cartridge, it is required to preventthe insertion of the recording medium cartridge in an orientation otherthan a normal orientation, that is, improper insertion of the recordingmedium cartridge in a recording medium cartridge holding portion forholding the recording medium cartridge.

[0006] Various mechanisms have been proposed for preventing insertion ofa recording medium cartridge in a cartridge holder of a recording and/orreproducing apparatus with the front and rear sides or the upper andlower sides erroneously reversed to each other; however, effective meansfor preventing insertion of a recording medium cartridge in a cartridgeholder with a short-side portion thereof directed forwardly in theinsertion direction have been little proposed, and the proposed meanshave presented problems in terms of complicated mechanism and poorusability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A first object of the present invention is to provide a recordingand/or reproducing apparatus capable of realizing space saving.

[0008] A second object of the present invention is to provide arecording and/or reproducing apparatus capable of certainly preventing arecording medium cartridge, in which a recording medium is contained ina flat cartridge case formed into a rectangular shape having a long-sideand short-side as viewed from above, the recording medium cartridgebeing inserted into a recording medium cartridge holding portion withits long-side portion directed forwardly in the insertion direction,from being inserted in the recording medium cartridge holding portion inan orientation other than a normal orientation, with a simple structure.

[0009] To achieve the above first object, according to a first aspect ofthe present invention, there is provided a recording and/or reproducingapparatus for recording and/or reproducing signals on and/or from arecording medium, including: recording and/or reproducing means forrecording and/or reproducing signals on and/or from the recordingmedium; carrying means for carrying the recording medium; a first slidermovable in one direction for moving the carrying means together with therecording medium up to a specific withdrawal position; and a secondslider movable in a direction being substantially the same as the onedirection for moving the recording medium carried by the carrying meansto a recording and/or reproducing position corresponding to a positionof the recording and/or reproducing means; wherein the first slider andthe second slider are overlapped to each other in the verticaldirection.

[0010] With this configuration, since the first slider mainly used forloading operation and the second slider mainly used for mode formationoperation are overlapped to each other, it is possible to realize spacesaving, particularly, as seen from above.

[0011] The recording and/or reproducing means preferably includes a diskrotation drive mechanism for rotating a disk as the recording medium;and a signal recording and/or reproducing mechanism for recording and/orreproducing signals on and/or from the disk while being moved in theradial direction of the disk rotated by the disk rotation drivemechanism.

[0012] The first slider and the second slider are preferably driven byone motor.

[0013] With this configuration, it is possible to further enhance thespace saving effect.

[0014] Preferably, the recording and/or reproducing means includes amagnetic head device for recording signals on the disk; and the secondslider is further movable, after moving the disk to the recording and/orreproducing position, in the one direction for moving the magnetic headdevice to a position corresponding to a position of the disk mounted onthe disk rotation drive mechanism.

[0015] With this configuration, it is possible to realize two differentmodes only by changing the movement amount of the second slider in theone direction, and hence to obtain a complicated function with a simplestructure.

[0016] Preferably, the recording and/or reproducing apparatus furtherincludes a disk holder having the carrying means; wherein the diskholder includes a main supporting member for movably supporting thecarrying means, the main supporting member being movable in thedirection perpendicular to a main body of the recording and/orreproducing apparatus; and the main supporting member is moved from theupper end to the lower end of a movement range thereof by movement ofthe second slider from the initial position to a specific position, tomount the disk supported by the carrying means on the disk rotationdrive mechanism.

[0017] With this configuration, it is possible to make the movementspace of the disk holder smaller than that of a related art disk holderturned to mount/dismount a recording medium disk on/from a disk rotationdrive mechanism, and hence to reduce a space, particularly, in theheight direction, of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus of thepresent invention.

[0018] Preferably, each of the first slider and the second slider hasrack teeth meshed with a pinion gear rotated by the one motor; until therecording medium is withdrawn from the initial position to the specificwithdrawal position, only the rack teeth of the first slider are meshedwith the pinion gear and only the first slider is moved by rotation ofthe pinion gear; at the final stage of the movement of the first slider,the second slider is pushed by the first slider to be moved in the onedirection, whereby the rack teeth of the second slider are meshed withthe pinion gear and the rack teeth of the first slider are removed fromthe pinion gear; and only the second slider is moved in the onedirection by further rotation of the pinion gear.

[0019] With this configuration, it is possible to move the two slidersin sequence at any time with a simple mechanism, and hence to enhancethe space saving effect.

[0020] To achieve the above second object, according to a second aspectof the present invention, there is provided a recording and/orreproducing apparatus including: a recording medium cartridge holdingportion in which a recording medium cartridge, configured such that arecording medium is contained in a flat cartridge case formed into arectangular shape having a long-side and short-side, is inserted withits long-side portion directed forwardly in the insertion direction. Therecording medium cartridge holding portion includes a main supportportion; a carrying portion, supported on the main support portion insuch a manner as to be movable from a standby position to a specificwithdrawal position, for withdrawing the recording medium cartridge heldat the standby position to the specific withdrawal position; a lockportion for locking the carrying portion at the standby position; and aninsertion restricting portion for prohibiting the passing of therecording medium cartridge inserted in an orientation other than anormal orientation; wherein the lock portion releases the locking of thecarrying portion by the recording medium cartridge passing through theinsertion restricting portion.

[0021] With this configuration, since the lock of the carrying portioncannot be released unless the recording medium cartridge passes throughthe insertion restricting portion. Accordingly, in the case of insertionof the recording medium cartridge with its long-side portion directedforwardly in the insertion direction, since the recording mediumcartridge cannot pass through the insertion restricting portion unlessthe cartridge is in a normal orientation, the improper insertion of therecording medium cartridge can be certainly prevented. In the case ofinsertion of the recording medium cartridge with its short-side portiondirected forwardly in the insertion direction, even if the cartridge isinserted to a position deeper than a position at which the insertionrestricting portion is formed while bypassing the insertion restrictingportion, since the cartridge does not pass through the insertionrestricting portion, the locking of the carrying portion cannot bereleased, with a result that the insertion of the cartridge can becertainly prevented. Further, such a structure can be simply realizedonly by disposing the lock portion at the position at which the lockingby the lock portion is released by the recording medium cartridgepassing through the insertion restricting portion.

[0022] Preferably, the carrying portion includes a turning lever turnedbetween a first position and a second position; and the turning lever isturned from the first position to the second position by the recordingmedium cartridge passing through the insertion restricting portion, torelease the locking of the carrying portion to the main support portion.

[0023] With this configuration, it is possible to carry the recordingmedium cartridge to the specific withdrawal position while certainlyholding it by the carrying portion.

[0024] Preferably, the turning lever includes a first arm portion to beengaged to a bent portion of a guide groove formed in the main supportportion; a second arm portion to be engaged in a hole portion formed inthe main support portion; and a third arm portion provided at a positionat which the third arm portion crosses the first arm portion and thesecond arm portion at approximately right angles; wherein when the thirdarm portion is turned by the contact thereof with the recording mediumcartridge passing through the insertion restricting portion, theengagement of the first arm portion in the bent portion is released andthe first arm portion is engaged in a sliding groove provided in such amanner as to be continuous to the bent portion and to be substantiallyin parallel to the movement direction of the carrying portion, and alsothe engagement of the second arm portion in the hole portion is releasedand the second arm portion is engaged with the recording mediumcartridge, whereby the locking of the carrying portion at the standbyposition is released; and the carrying portion is allowed to carry therecording medium cartridge from the standby position to the withdrawalposition.

[0025] With this configuration, since the carrying portion is not pushedby the recording medium cartridge until the carrying portion holds therecording medium cartridge, it is possible to certainly hold therecording medium cartridge on the carrying portion.

BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIG. 1 is a perspective view, seen obliquely forwardly from above,of a magneto-optical disk cartridge representative of a recording mediumcartridge used for a recording and/or reproducing apparatus of thepresent invention;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a perspective view, seen from below, of the recordingand/or reproducing apparatus, showing a state in which a shutter islocated at an open position;

[0028]FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the entire configuration of therecording and/or reproducing apparatus;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a left side view showing the entire configuration of therecording and/or reproducing apparatus;

[0030]FIG. 5 is a right side view showing the entire configuration ofthe recording and/or reproducing apparatus;

[0031]FIG. 6 is a plan view of a cartridge holder of the recordingand/or reproducing apparatus;

[0032]FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the cartridge holder;

[0033]FIG. 8 is a rear view of the cartridge holder;

[0034]FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line IX-IX of FIG.6;

[0035]FIG. 10 is a plan view of a main support of the recording and/orreproducing apparatus;

[0036]FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the main support;

[0037]FIG. 12 is a plan view of a connecting member of the recordingand/or reproducing apparatus;

[0038]FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the connecting member;

[0039]FIG. 14 is a plan view of a carrying slider of the recordingand/or reproducing apparatus;

[0040]FIG. 15 is a bottom of the carrying slider;

[0041]FIG. 16 is a plan view of the cartridge holder showing a state inwhich the disk cartridge is inserted in a normal orientation and thelocking by a lock member is released;

[0042]FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line XVII-XVII ofFIG. 16;

[0043]FIG. 18 is a plan view, with parts partially cutaway, of thecartridge holder showing a state in which the disk cartridge is insertedin the normal orientation and the locking by a lock lever is released;

[0044]FIG. 19 is a plan view of the cartridge holder showing a state inwhich the disk cartridge is inserted in the normal orientation and isperfectly withdrawn in the cartridge holder;

[0045]FIG. 20 is a bottom view of the cartridge holder showing a statein which the disk cartridge is inserted in the cartridge holder with therear side of the disk cartridge is erroneously directed forwardly;

[0046]FIG. 21 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line XXI-XXI ofFIG. 20;

[0047]FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the cartridge holder showing a statein which the disk cartridge is inserted in the cartridge holder with theback side of the disk cartridge erroneously directed upwardly;

[0048]FIG. 23 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line XXIII-XXIII ofFIG. 22;

[0049]FIG. 24 is a bottom view of the cartridge holder showing a statein which the disk cartridge is inserted in the cartridge holder with theside surface of the disk cartridge erroneously directed forwardly;

[0050]FIG. 25 is a plan view of a main body of the recording and/orreproducing apparatus;

[0051]FIG. 26 is a left side view of the main body of the recordingand/or reproducing apparatus;

[0052]FIG. 27 is a right side view of the main body of the recordingand/or reproducing apparatus;

[0053]FIG. 28 is a bottom view of the main body of the recording and/orreproducing apparatus;

[0054]FIG. 29 is a sectional view taken on line XXIX-XXIX of FIG. 25;

[0055]FIG. 30 is a plan view showing a mode slider;

[0056]FIG. 31 is a right side view of the mode slider;

[0057]FIG. 32 is a plan view of a loading slider;

[0058]FIG. 33 is a plan view showing a rack formation portion of theloading slider;

[0059]FIG. 34 is a bottom view showing the rack formation portion of theloading slider;

[0060]FIG. 35 is a left side view showing the rack formation portion ofthe loading slider;

[0061]FIG. 36 is a plan view showing a limiter portion of the loadingslider;

[0062]FIG. 37 is a right side view showing the limiter portion of theloading slider;

[0063]FIG. 38 is a left side view showing an overwriting head mechanismlocated at a standby position;

[0064]FIG. 39 is a left side view showing an overwriting head mechanismlocated at a recording position;

[0065]FIG. 40 is a plan view showing an essential portion of a modeformation mechanism located at an initial position;

[0066]FIG. 41 is a left side view showing an essential portion of themode formation mechanism located at the initial position;

[0067]FIG. 42 is a left side view showing another essential portion ofthe mode formation mechanism located at the initial position;

[0068]FIG. 43 is a plan view of two sliders located at the initialpositions;

[0069]FIG. 44 is a plan view of the two sliders in the course ofmovement from the initial positions to loading ended positions;

[0070]FIG. 45 is a plan view of the two sliders in a state being closerto the loading ended positions than those in the state shown in FIG. 44in the course of movement from the initial positions to the loadingended positions;

[0071]FIG. 46 is a plan view showing an essential portion of the modeformation portion at the loading ended position;

[0072]FIG. 47 is a left side view showing an essential portion of themode formation portion at the loading ended position;

[0073]FIG. 48 is a left side view showing another essential portion ofthe mode formation portion at the loading ended position;

[0074]FIG. 49 is a plan view of the two sliders located at the loadingended positions;

[0075]FIG. 50 is a plan view of the two sliders in the course ofmovement from the loading ended positions to recording positions;

[0076]FIG. 51 is a plan view of the two sliders in a state being closerto the recording positions than those in the state shown in FIG. 50 inthe course of movement from the loading ended positions to the recordingpositions;

[0077]FIG. 52 is a plan view showing an essential portion of the modeformation mechanism located at the recording positions;

[0078]FIG. 53 is a left side view showing an essential portion of themode formation mechanism located at the recording positions;

[0079]FIG. 54 is a left side view showing another essential portion ofthe mode formation mechanism located at the recording position; and

[0080]FIG. 55 is a plan view of the two sliders located at the recordingpositions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0081] Hereinafter, embodiments of a recording medium cartridge holderand a recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to the presentinvention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] In the embodiments shown in the figures, the present invention isapplied to a mechanism of preventing improper insertion of a recordingmedium cartridge including a flat cartridge case and a disk-likerecording medium rotatably disposed therein, and to a recording and/orreproducing apparatus using a magneto-optical disk cartridge containinga magneto-optical disk as the above recording medium.

[0083] First, a recording medium cartridge, that is, a magneto-opticaldisk cartridge (hereinafter, referred to as “disk cartridge”) used inthe embodiments will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0084] A disk cartridge 1 includes a flat cartridge case 2 having arectangular shape close to a square shape. The length of the cartridgecase 2 in the longitudinal direction AB is slightly shorter than thelength thereof in the lateral direction CD. An insertion port 3 isformed in a central portion of the back surface of the cartridge case 2.An access hole 4 for allowing access of laser light emitted from anoptical pickup is formed in a portion, offset from the insertion port 3in the direction D, of the back surface of the cartridge case 2. A headinsertion port 5, in which a magnetic head for recording is to beinserted, is formed in the top surface at a position corresponding tothe access hole 4.

[0085] A shutter 6 is provided in such a manner as to be movable from aclose position shown in FIG. 1 and an open position shown in FIG. 2. Theshutter 6 integrally has an upper covering portion 6 a for covering thehead insertion port 5, a lower covering portion 6 b for covering theaccess hole 4, and an intermediate portion 6 for connecting thesecovering portions 6 a and 6 b to each other at a side edge portion ofthe disk cartridge. An engagement hole 6 d is formed in the intermediateportion 6 c. The shutter 6 is locked at the close position by lockingmeans (not shown) in a state that the covering portions 6 a and 6 bcover the head insertion port 5 and the access hole 4, respectively.

[0086] A groove 7 is formed in a side edge surface in the direction D ofthe cartridge case 2. The groove 7 extends from the front end, that is,the end in the direction A of the cartridge case 2 to a portion slightlyshort of the rear end, that is, the end in the direction B of thecartridge case 2.

[0087] A groove 8 is formed in a side edge surface in the direction C ofthe cartridge case 2. The groove 8 extends from the front end of thecartridge case 2 to a portion slightly offset forwardly from anintermediate portion of the cartridge case 2. Each of the grooves 7 and8 is slightly offset upwardly from the center in the vertical direction.Accordingly, at the left side portion of the front end of the cartridge2, the thickness of a portion 7 a over the groove 7 is thinner than thatof a portion 7 b under the groove 7, and in the right side portion ofthe front end of the cartridge 2, the thickness of a portion 8 a overthe groove 8 is thinner than that of a portion 8 b under the groove 8(see FIG. 1).

[0088] An approximately semi-circular cutout 9 opened downwardly,sideways is formed in each of both side edge portions of the backsurface of the cartridge case 2 at a position near the front end.

[0089] A magneto-optical disk 10 is rotatably contained in the cartridgecase 2. A disk-like core 11, formed of a magnetic body, mounted at acentral portion of the magneto-optical disk 10 faces downwardly throughthe insertion port 3 formed at the central portion of the back surfaceof the cartridge case 2. A central hole 11 a is formed at the centralportion of the core 11. A circular fitting recess 11 b is formed in theback surface of the core 11.

[0090] A recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the present inventionwill be described below with reference to a plan view in FIG. 3, a leftside view in FIG. 4, and a right side view in FIG. 5; a cartridge holderof the present invention will be described with reference to a plan viewin FIG. 6, a bottom view in FIG. 7, a rear view in FIG. 8, and asectional view in FIG. 9; and a main support of the cartridge holderwill be described with reference to a plan view in FIG. 10 and a bottomview in FIG. 11. In addition, the left, right, front, and rear sides inthe following description are based on those in the plan views.

[0091] A recording and/or reproducing apparatus 100 for recording and/orreproducing signals on/from a magneto-optical disk 9, for example, MiniDisk (trade name) by using the disk cartridge 1 includes a base chassis110 on which components necessary for recording and/or reproducing aremounted or supported.

[0092] A cartridge holder 120 is supported on the upper surface side ofthe base chassis 110 in such a manner as to be movable in the verticaldirection. The cartridge holder 120 mainly includes a main support 130having a rectangular shape slightly longer in the longitudinaldirection, that is, in the direction EF, a connecting member 140 mountedon the main support 130, and a carrying slider 150.

[0093] The main support 130 is made from a synthetic resin, and as isapparent from FIGS. 10 and 11, a large opening portion 131 is formed ina rear end portion, that is, a portion excluding a portion on thedirection F side, of an approximately right half of the main support130. A projecting rib 131 a is formed on the right side edge, that is,on the side edge on the direction H side of the opening portion 131,except for the front end portion, that is, the end portion in thedirection E side. To be more specific, the projecting rib 131 a projectsfrom an approximately vertical intermediate portion of the right sideedge of the opening portion 131. A sliding groove 132 is formed in theleft side edge, that is, in the side edge on the direction G side of themain support 130 in such a manner as to extend from a portion offsetslightly rearwardly from the center in the longitudinal direction to thefront end portion. A lock portion 132 a recessed slightly rightwardly isformed at the rear end portion of the sliding groove 132. Guide slits133 and 134 are formed in a portion, between the opening portion 131 andthe sliding groove 132, of the main support 130. The guide slits 133 and134 substantially extend from the front end portion to the rear endportion of the main support 130. A projecting rib 133 a is formed alongthe left side edge of the guide slit 133 on the left side, andprojecting ribs 134 a are formed along the left and right side edges ofthe guide slit 134 on the right side of the guide slit 133. Arectangular arrangement hole 130 b longer in the longitudinal directionis formed in a left rear end portion of the main support 130.

[0094] A shutter opening/closing member 160 made from a spring materialis fixed on the outer side surface of a right side wall 130 a of themain support 130 of the cartridge holder 120 (see FIG. 5). The shutteropening/closing member 160, which is longer in the longitudinaldirection, that is, in the direction EF, has a shutter opening piece 161projecting leftwardly from an approximately intermediate portion of theshutter opening/closing member 160 (see FIG. 7), and a shutter closingpiece 162 projecting leftwardly from the rear end portion of the shutteropening/closing member 160 (see FIG. 11). The shutter opening piece 161is formed into a flat plate having a rectangular shape longersubstantially in the longitudinal direction, and has at a front endportion of the left side edge thereof, a tilt edge 161 a tiltedleftwardly, forwardly. The shutter closing piece 162 has, at a front endportion of the left side edge, a front tilt edge 162 a and has, at arear end portion of the left side edge, a rear tilt edge 162 b. Thetilting angle of the front tilt edge 162 a is larger than that of therear tilt edge 162 b. Both the shutter opening piece 161 and the shutterclosing piece 162 project in the right side wall 130 a of the mainsupport 130 of the cartridge holder 120 through through-holes formed inthe right side wall 130 a. Two portions, positioned in front of and atthe back of the shutter opening piece 161, of the shutteropening/closing member 160 are screwed in the right side wall 130 a,whereby the shutter opening piece 161 is prevented from being movedrightwardly and leftwardly. On the other hand, the shutter closing piece162 is usually kept as projecting in the right side wall 130 a, and whenpushed from the left side, the shutter closing piece 162 is movedrightwardly because the rear end portion of the shutter opening/closingmember 160 is elastically flexed.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 10, a connecting hole 135 is formed at aposition near the rear end of a portion, along the left side edge of theopening portion 131, of the main support 130. A sliding pin 136 isprovided on each of the left and right side surfaces of the main support130 at a position slightly offset rearwardly, that is, in the directionF, from an intermediate portion of the side surface in the longitudinaldirection in such a manner as to project outwardly therefrom. Aconnecting piece 136 is provided at an approximately lateral centralposition on a front end portion of the main support 130 in such a manneras to project forwardly therefrom.

[0096] Supporting surface portions 138 and 139 are respectively providedat lower edges of rear end portions of the left and right side surfacesof the main support 130 of the cartridge holder 120 in such a manner asto project in the direction where they come close to each other.

[0097] The connecting member 140 will be described below with referenceto a plan view in FIG. 12 and a bottom view in FIG. 13.

[0098] The connecting member 140 is formed by bending a plate material.As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the connecting member 140 integrally has amain portion 141 formed into a plate shape longer in the lateraldirection, and two pieces 142 and 143 to be supported which projectnearly downwardly from the left and right side edges of the main portion141 respectively. Projecting pieces 142 a and 143 a are respectivelyprovided on the rear edges of the lower end portions of the pieces 142and 143 to be supported in such a manner as to project in the directionwhere they come close to each other. Pins 142 b and 143 b to besupported project from the right surface of a lower end portion of theleft piece 142 to be supported and from the right surface of a lower endportion of the right piece 143 to be supported, respectively. A sidesurface portion 144 projects downwardly from a front end portion of theleft side edge of the main portion 141. A restricting piece 144 aprojects rightwardly from the lower edge of the side surface portion144, and a spring catch piece 144 b projects leftwardly from the upperend of the side surface portion 144.

[0099] Left and right engagement pieces 145 and 146 project forwardlyfrom an approximately lateral central portion of the front edge of themain portion 141 of the connecting member 140. The right engagementpiece 146 once projects downwardly and then projects forwardly, andaccordingly, it is formed into an approximately L-shape as viewed fromright. These engagement pieces 145 and 146 look to be opposed to eachother in the vertical direction with a gap put therebetween as viewedfrom right or left.

[0100] An arrangement opening 147 is formed in a left end portion of themain support 141 of the connecting member 140, and a lock member 170 isdisposed in the arrangement opening 147. As shown in FIG. 9, the lockmember 170 made from a synthetic resin integrally has a base portion 171formed into a recess opened rearwardly, and a claw piece 172 projectingforwardly from a front end portion of the base portion 171. A lock claw173 projects downwardly from the front end of the claw piece 172. Alower end surface 173 a of the lock claw 173 is tilted slightlyrearwardly, upwardly. A pin 171 a to be supported projects from each ofboth side surfaces of a portion, near the rear end, of the base portion171. Both the pins 171 a to be supported are turnably engaged withsupporting pieces 148 projecting downwardly from both sides of a rearend portion of the arrangement opening 147 of the main support 141 ofthe connecting member 140, whereby the lock member 170 is supported bythe connecting member 140 in such a manner as to be turnable in thedirection where the front end of the lock member 170 is movedsubstantially in the vertical direction. The downward turning of thelock member 170 is restricted by the contact of the rear end of the baseportion 171 with the back surface of the main portion 141 of theconnecting member 140, while the upward turning of the lock member 170is restricted by the contact of a restricting pin 171 b projectingrightwardly from a front end portion of the base portion 171 with theback surface of the base portion 141 of the connecting member 140.

[0101] A spring catch piece 147 a is provided at a portion, offsetslightly forwardly from a central portion, of the right side edge of thearrangement opening 147 of the connecting member 140. A coil portion 174a of a torsion-coil spring 174 is wound around the spring catch piece147 a. A forwardly extending arm 174 b of the coil spring 174 is broughtinto elastic-contact with the upper surface of the main portion 141 ofthe connecting member 140, and a rearwardly extending arm 174 c of thecoil spring 174 is brought into elastic-contact with the upper surfaceof a front end portion of the base portion 171 of the lock member 170.The lock member 170 is thus biased downwardly.

[0102] The connecting member 140 is connected to the main support 130 asfollows: namely, the restricting piece 144 a formed on the left sideportion of the connecting member 140 is positioned on the back side ofthe left side portion of the main support 130; the right engagementpiece 146 of the connecting member 140 is engaged in the connecting hole135 of the main support 130; and the left engagement piece 145 isbrought, from above, into contact with the left opening edge of theconnecting hole 135 of the main support 130. In this state, the lockmember 170 supported by the connecting member 140 faces, from above, tothe arrangement hole 130 b formed in the left rear end portion of themain support 130.

[0103] The carrying slider 150 is supported on the main support 130 insuch a manner as to be movable in the longitudinal direction. As shownin FIGS. 14 and 15, the carrying slider 150 made from a synthetic resinhas an upper surface portion 151 longer in the lateral direction, thatis, in the direction GH. A front surface portion 152 projects downwardlyfrom the front edge of the upper surface portion 151. Left and rightprojecting ribs 153 and 154 extending in the longitudinal direction areformed on the upper surface of a left portion of the upper surfaceportion 151. An engagement sliding piece 153 a projecting leftwardly isformed on the upper surface of a rear end portion of the left projectingrib 153, and engagement sliding pieces 154 a projecting leftwardly andrightwardly are formed on the upper surface of a rear end portion of theright projecting rib 154. The projecting rib 153 is slidably engaged inthe guide slit 133 formed in the main support 130 with the engagementsliding piece 153 a slidably engaged on the upper surface of theprojecting rib 133 a formed on the left side surface of the sliding slit133. The projecting rib 154 is slidably engaged in the guide slit 134formed in the main support 130 with the engagement sliding pieces 154 aslidably engaged on the upper surfaces of the projecting ribs 134 aformed on the left and right side surfaces of the guide slit 134. Anengagement sliding piece 151 a projects rightwardly from the uppersurface of a right end portion of the upper surface portion 151. Theengagement sliding piece 151 a is slidably engaged on the upper surfaceof the projecting rib 131 a formed on the right side surface of theopening portion 131 of the main support 130. The carrying slider 150 isthus supported on the back surface of the main support 130 in such amanner as to be movable in the longitudinal direction, that is, thedirection EF.

[0104] A rearwardly extending supporting piece 155 is formed on aportion, offset rightwardly from an intermediate portion, of the loweredge of the front surface portion 152 of the carrying slider 150. Aprojecting piece 156, which projects rearwardly, is formed on a left endportion of the upper surface portion 151. A hole 156 a to be locked isformed in a central portion of the projecting piece 156, and a rear edge156 a′ of the hole 156 a to be locked is tilted forwardly, upwardly. Asupporting piece 156 b projects downwardly from the left side edge ofthe projecting piece 156, and an insertion restricting piece 156 cprojects rightwardly from the lower end of the supporting piece 156 b(see FIG. 9). The insertion restricting piece 156 c is formed into asmall plate shape extending in the horizontal direction, and is opposedto the lock hole 156 a. To be more specific, the insertion restrictingpiece 156 c is located at a height corresponding to the height of theleft groove 8 of the disk cartridge 1 inserted in the cartridge holder120 in a normal orientation.

[0105] A left end portion of the front surface portion 152 of thecarrying slider 150 is cutout, to form a cutout portion 152 a. Aconnecting piece 157 projects forwardly from a lower end portion, closeto the cutout portion 152 a, of the front surface portion 152, and anengagement projection 157 a projects leftwardly from a front end portionof the connecting piece 157.

[0106] A lock lever 180 is turnably supported on the back surface of aleft end portion of the upper surface portion 151 of the carrying slider150. The lock lever 180 has three arm pieces 181, 182, and 183 extendingin the directions perpendicular to each other. A hole 184 to besupported, extending in the vertical direction, is formed in anintermediate portion at which bases of the three arm pieces 181, 182 and183 are connected to each other. The first arm piece 181 extendingsubstantially forwardly from the intermediate portion has a lock pin 181a projecting upwardly from a tip portion of the first arm piece 181. Thesecond arm piece 182 extending substantially rightwardly from theintermediate portion is taken as a piece to be operated. The third armpiece 183 extending substantially rearwardly from the intermediateportion has, at its tip portion, a lock projection 183 a projectingleftwardly from the upper end of the tip portion and an engagementprojection 183 b projecting rightwardly from the lower end of the tipportion. A supporting shaft 158 projecting downwardly from the front endof a left end portion of the upper surface portion 151 of the carryingslider 150 is inserted in the hole 184 to be supported, whereby the locklever 180 is turnably supported by the carrying slider 150. The locklever 180 is biased clockwise, that is, in the direction CW as viewedfrom above by a spring (not shown).

[0107] A click member 190 made from a plate spring material is fixed toa right end portion of the front surface portion 152 of the carryingslider 150. The click member 190 has a piece 191 to be supported by thefront surface portion 152, and a lower surface portion 192 projectingrearwardly from the lower edge of the piece 191 to be supported. A rearend portion of the lower surface portion 192 projects rightwardly.Accordingly, the lower surface portion 192 has an approximately L-shape.An engagement projection 193, swelled to project upwardly, is formed ona rightwardly projecting portion of the lower surface portion 192. To bemore specific, the engagement projection 193 is obtained by forming leftand right slits extending in the longitudinal direction in a rearsurface portion 192, thereby upwardly swelling a portion between the twoslits.

[0108] In a state in which the carrying slider 150 is located at therear end of the movement range, that is, the standby position, the lockclaw 173 of the lock member 170 supported by the connecting member 140is engaged in the hole 156 a to be locked of the carrying slider 150;the lock projection 183 a of the lock lever 180 is engaged in anengagement hole 130 d formed in a rear end portion of the left side wall130 c of the main support 130 of the cartridge holder 120 (see FIG. 18);and the lock pin 181 a of the lock lever 180 is engaged in the lockportion 132 a formed at the rear end of the sliding groove 132 of themain support 130 of the cartridge holder 120. That is to say, with theabove-described engagement of the lock members, the carrying slider 150is locked at the rear end of the movement range, that is, at the standbyposition.

[0109] A procedure of inserting the disk cartridge 1 in the cartridgeholder 120 will be described below.

[0110] The insertion of the disk cartridge 1 in the cartridge holder 120in a normal orientation will be first described. In the normalorientation, the upper surface of the cartridge case 2 is directedupwardly, and the front end, that is, the end in the direction A, of thecartridge case 2 is directed forwardly, that is, in the direction E, ofthe apparatus.

[0111] As the disk cartridge 1 is inserted in the cartridge holder 120in the normal orientation while being slid on the supporting surfaceportions 138 and 139, the insertion restricting piece 156 c of thecarrying slider 150 is relatively inserted in the left groove 8 in thedisk cartridge 1, whereby the disk cartridge 1 is inserted toward thecarrying slider 150. When the disk cartridge 1 is further inserted inthe cartridge holder 120, the lower end surface (tilt surface) 173 a ofthe lock claw 173 of the lock member 170 is pushed by a front endportion of the disk cartridge 1. As a result, the lock member 170 isturned upwardly against the biasing force of the torsion-coil spring174, so that the tilt surface 173 a of the lock claw 173 comes to beopposed to the tilt surface 156 a′ at the rear end of the hole 156 a tobe locked of the carrying slider 150 (see FIGS. 16 and 17). Accordingly,as the carrying slider 150 is moved forwardly from this state, the tiltsurface 173 a of the lock claw 173 is relatively slid upwardly on thetilt surface 156 a′ of the hole 156 a to be locked. That is to say, thelocking of the carrying slider 150 by the lock claw 173 is released inthe step shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. When the disk cartridge 1 is stillfurther inserted in the cartridge holder 120, the tip of the second armpiece 182 of the lock lever 180 is pushed by the front end surface ofthe disk cartridge 1. As a result, the lock lever 180 is turnedcounterclockwise, that is, in the direction CCW, as seen from above,against the biasing force of the spring (not shown), so that the lockpin 181 a provided on the first arm piece 181 is removed leftwardly fromthe lock portion 132 a formed at the rear end of the sliding groove 132of the main support 130, and the lock projection 183 a provided at thetip of the third arm piece 183 is removed rightwardly from theengagement hole 130 d formed in the left side surface portion 130 c ofthe main support 130. In this way, the locking of the carrying slider150 at the standby position is entirely removed (see FIG. 18). Further,the engagement projection 183 b formed at the tip portion of the thirdarm piece 183 is engaged in the cutout 9 formed in the lower portion ofthe left side edge of the disk cartridge 1, and simultaneously the lowersurface portion 192 of the clock member 190 flexed downwardly by thefront end portion of the disk cartridge 1 is returned upwardly and theengagement projection 193 is engaged in the cutout 9 formed in the lowerportion of the right side edge of the disk cartridge 1. In this way, thedisk cartridge 1 is held by the carrying slider 150.

[0112] When the disk cartridge 1, which has been held by the carryingslider 150, is further inserted in the cartridge holder 120, thecarrying slider 150 is moved forwardly together with the disk cartridge1. When the carrying slider 150 is slightly moved forwardly, themovement thereof is detected by a sensor (not shown), and a modeformation mechanism (which will be described later) is driven on thebasis of the detection result of the sensor, to move the carrying slider150 up to a specific forward withdrawal position. As a result, the diskcartridge 1 is carried to a specific withdrawal position by the carryingslider 150 (see FIG. 19). This will be described in detail later.

[0113] The insertion of the disk cartridge 1 in the cartridge holder 120in an erroneous orientation will be described below. The insertion ofthe disk cartridge 1 in an erroneous orientation includes the insertionof the disk cartridge in a state in which the rear side of the cartridgein the normal orientation is directed forwardly, the insertion of thedisk cartridge in a state in which the upper side of the cartridge inthe normal orientation is directed downwardly, and the insertion of thedisk cartridge in a state in which the shorter side of the cartridge isdirected forwardly.

[0114] When the disk cartridge 1 is inserted in the state in which therear side of the disk cartridge 1 in the normal orientation is directedforwardly, since each of the grooves 7 and 8 does not reach the rear endof the disk cartridge 1, the rear end surface of the disk cartridge 1 isbrought into contact with the insertion restricting piece 156 c of thecartridge holder 120, with a result that the disk cartridge 1 can nolonger enter in the cartridge holder 120 (see FIGS. 20 and 21).

[0115] When the disk cartridge 1 is inserted in the state in which theupper side of the disk cartridge 1 in the normal orientation is directeddownwardly, since the vertical position of the groove 7, provided at theend portion in the direction D, of the disk cartridge 1 is differentfrom the height position of the insertion restricting piece 156 c of thecartridge holder 120, the insertion restricting piece 156 c is broughtinto contact with the portion 7 b, higher than the groove 7, of the endportion in the direction D of the front end surface of the diskcartridge 1, more specifically, with a taper portion 7 b′ continuous tothe portion 7 b higher than the groove 7, with a result that the diskcartridge 1 can no longer enter in the cartridge holder 120 (see FIGS.22 and 23).

[0116] When the disk cartridge 1 is inserted in the state in which theshorter side of the disk cartridge 1 is directed forwardly and furtherit is inserted without interfering with the insertion restricting piece156 c, since the disk cartridge 1 enters deeper than the position atwhich the insertion restricting piece 156 c is provided, the second armpiece 182 of the lock lever 180 is pushed rearwardly by the front endsurface of the disk cartridge 1, whereby the lock lever 180 is turnedcounterclockwise, that is, in the direction CCW as viewed from above, sothat the lock pin 181 a provided on the first arm piece 181 is removedleftwardly from the lock portion 132 a of the sliding groove 132 (seeFIG. 24). However, since the disk cartridge 1 does not pass through theportion at which the insertion restricting piece 156 c is positioned,that is, the portion at which the lock claw 173 of the lock member 170is positioned, the engagement between the lock claw 173 of the lockmember 170 and the hole 156 a to be locked of the carrying slider 150 isnot released, with a result that the carrying slider 150 cannot be movedforwardly.

[0117] As described above, the disk cartridge 1 cannot be inserted inthe cartridge holder 120 unless it is inserted in the normalorientation. Such limitation is realized by providing the insertionrestricting piece 156 c on the carrying slider 150, and providing thelock means (lock member 170) for locking the carrying slider 150 at thestandby position, at the position opposed to the insertion restrictingpiece 156 c in the vertical direction, wherein the locking by the lockmeans is released by the disk cartridge 1 which has overcome thelimitation by the insertion restricting piece 156 c and passes throughthe insertion restricting piece 156 c. As a result, it is possible tocertainly, simply prevent improper insertion of the disk cartridge 1.

[0118] A main body of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus will bedescribed below in detail with reference to FIGS. 25 to 29.

[0119] The above-described cartridge holder 120 is supported on the vasechassis 110 in such a manner as to be movable in the vertical direction.

[0120] The base chassis 110, made from a synthetic resin, is providedwith two supporting pieces 111, two guide columns 112, an engagementpiece 113, and a slip-off preventive piece 114. The supporting pieces111 projecting upwardly are provided on left and right ends of a rearend portion of the base chassis 110. Supporting holes 111 a are formedin the supporting pieces 111. The guide columns 112 projecting upwardlyare provided at positions, slightly offset rearwardly from intermediateportions in the longitudinal direction, of the left and right edges ofthe base chassis 110. Guide grooves 112 a extending in the verticaldirection are formed in opposed surfaces of the guide columns 112. Theengagement piece 113 projecting upwardly is provided at a position,slightly offset from an intermediate portion in the lateral direction,of a front end portion of the base chassis 110. An engagement slidinghole 113 a longer in the vertical direction is formed in the engagementsliding piece 113 (see FIG. 4). The slip-off preventing piece 114 iserected on the left side of the left supporting piece 111 in such amanner as to be slightly spaced therefrom.

[0121] The cartridge holder 120 in a tilt posture with the front endportion positioned slightly upwardly is held above the base chassis 110.Then, the pins 142 b and 143 b to be supported of the connecting member140 are inserted, from the left side, in the supporting holes 111 a ofthe supporting pieces 111 of the base chassis 110, and the cartridgeholder 120 is turned in the direction in which the front end portionthereof is moved downwardly. With this turning, the sliding pins 136 ofthe cartridge holder 120 are vertically slidably engaged in the guidegrooves 112 a formed in the guide columns 112 of the base chassis 110,and a connecting piece 137 formed on the front end portion of thecartridge holder 120 is vertically slidably engaged in the engagementsliding hole 113 a of the engagement piece 113 formed on the front endportion of the base chassis 110. A tensile coil spring 116 (see FIG. 4)is stretched between the spring catch piece 144 b of the connectingmember 140 of the cartridge holder 120 and a spring catch piece 115projecting from the left side surface of a rear end portion of the basechassis 110, whereby the connecting member 140 is biased in thedirection in which the front end portion thereof is moved downwardly.

[0122] As described above, the cartridge holder 120 is supported on thebase chassis 110 in such a manner as to be movable in the verticaldirection. In the state in which the cartridge holder 120 is thussupported on the base chassis 110, the left piece 142 to be supported ofthe connecting member 140 of the cartridge holder 120 is positionedbetween the left supporting piece 111 and the slip-off preventive piece114 of the base chassis 110, and accordingly, the leftward movement ofthe connecting member 140 is limited. As a result, it is possible toprevent the pins 142 b and 143 b to be supported from being slipped offleftwardly from the supporting holes 111 a of the supporting pieces 111of the base chassis 110.

[0123] A mode formation mechanism, a disk rotation drive mechanism, anoptical pickup mechanism, an overwriting head mechanism, and the likeare mounted on the above-described base chassis 110, to constitute amain body 200 of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus 100.

[0124] The mode formation mechanism includes two sliders, that is, amode slider 210 and a loading slider 220.

[0125] The mode slider 210, which is made from a synthetic resin, issupported on the upper surface of the base chassis 110 in such a manneras to be movable in the longitudinal direction, that is, in thedirection EF (see FIG. 25). As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31, the mode slider210 has a rack formation portion 211 formed into a plate shape longersubstantially in the longitudinal direction, and a head drive portion212 projecting rightwardly, that is, in the direction H from a front endportion of the rack formation portion 211. Rack teeth 213 are formed onthe right side edge of the rack formation portion 211 in a range from anintermediate portion in the longitudinal direction to a portion near thefront end. An engagement cutout 214 extending rightwardly, forwardly isformed in a portion, slightly offset from an intermediate portion in thelongitudinal direction, of the left side edge of the rack formationportion 211. A low side wall 211 a is erected on a portion, excludingthe engagement cutout 214, of the left side edge of the rack formationportion 211. A piece 211 b to be pushed, which projects leftwardly, isprovided on each of the front and rear end portions of the rackformation 211 at a position outside the side wall 211 a. A guide groove215 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in the uppersurface of the rack formation portion 211 in such a manner as to extendalong the right side edge. A cam portion 216 is formed on a front endportion of the side wall 211 a of the rack formation portion 211. Theupper edge of the cam portion 216 has a rear end portion 216 a extendingin the horizontal direction at the highest position and a tilt portion216 b tilted forwardly, downwardly from the rear end portion 216 a.

[0126] A cam portion 217 is formed on the head drive portion 212 of themode slider 210 in such a manner as to extend in the longitudinaldirection along the right side edge. The upper edge of the cam portion217 has a high level portion 217 a disposed at the rear end in such amanner as to extend in the horizontal direction at the highest position,a low level portion 217 b disposed at the front end in such a manner asto extend in the horizontal direction at a low position, and a tiltportion 217 c which connects the high level portion 217 a to the lowlevel portion 217 b and which is tilted forwardly, downwardly. Anauxiliary piece 217 d is formed on the head drive portion 212 in such amanner as to be disposed over the portions 217 a, 217 b and 217 c of theupper edge of the cam portion 217 with a slight gap put therebetween,whereby a cam groove following the shape of the upper edge of the camportion 217 is formed. A slit 212 a to be guided, which extends in thelongitudinal direction, is formed in the head drive portion 212.

[0127] A slit 117 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in aportion along the left side edge of the base chassis 110 (see FIG. 28).A front end portion of a lock piece 230 is turnably supported by theright side edge near the front end of the slit 117, and a lock pin 231projects from a rear end portion of the lock piece 230 (see FIGS. 44 and45).

[0128] The mode slider 210 is supported on the upper surface of the basechassis 110 in such a manner as to be slidable in the longitudinaldirection. In addition, a guide projection 110 a erected on the basechassis 110 is slidably engaged in the slit 212 a to be guided of themode slider 210. An auxiliary member 240 is fixed on the left side edgeof the base chassis 110, and a step 241 is formed on the lower end ofthe right side surface of the auxiliary member 240. The pieces 211 b tobe pushed of the mode slider 210 are slidably engaged between the step241 and the upper surface of the base chassis 110 (see FIG. 29). Inaddition, the above-described left guide column 112 and the spring catchpiece 115 are formed on the auxiliary member 240.

[0129] The loading slider 220 has a rack formation portion 250 and alimiter portion 260.

[0130] The rack formation portion 250 made from a synthetic resin havinga good sliding characteristic is, as shown in FIGS. 32 to 35, formedinto a plate shape longer substantially in the longitudinal direction.Rack teeth 251 are formed over the right side edge of the rack formationportion 250. A slit 252 opened rearwardly is formed in a portion, nearthe left side edge, of the rack formation portion 250 in such a manneras to extend from the rear end to an approximately intermediate portionin the longitudinal direction. A spring catch piece 253 projects fromthe deepest end of the slit 252. Two guide projections 254 are formed ona portion, near the right side edge, of the rack formation portion 250in such a manner as to be spaced from each other in the longitudinaldirection. A shallow groove 255 extending in the longitudinal directionis formed in a front end portion of the rack formation portion 250 atpositions offset leftwardly from these guide projections 254. Aprojecting rib 256 projecting downwardly is formed on the left side edgeof the rack formation portion 250. A cutout 256 a is formed in theprojecting rib 256 in such a manner as to extend from an intermediateposition in the longitudinal direction to a position near the rear end.A tilt surface 256 b tilted leftwardly, rearwardly is formed on a rearend portion of the projecting rib 256. Three sliding projections 257 areprovided on a portion, near the right side edge, of the back surface ofthe rack formation portion 250 in such a manner as to be spaced fromeach other in the longitudinal direction.

[0131] The limiter portion 260 made from a synthetic resin is, as shownin FIGS. 36 and 37, formed into a plate shape longer substantially inthe longitudinal direction. The length of the limiter portion 260 isslightly shorter than that of the rack formation portion 250. The widthof the limiter portion 260 is narrower than that of the rack formationportion 250 by a projecting width of rack teeth 25. A slit 261 openedrearwardly is formed in a portion, near the left side edge, of thelimiter portion 260 in such a manner as to extend from an approximatelyintermediate portion in the longitudinal direction to the rear end. Aspring catch piece 262 projects from a portion, which crosses theextension of the slit 261, of a front end portion of the limiter portion260. Two slits 263 to be guided, which extend in the longitudinaldirection, project from a portion, near the right side edge, of thelimiter portion 260 in such a manner as to be spaced from each other inthe longitudinal direction. A connecting column 264 is erected on alongitudinal intermediate portion along the right side edge of thelimiter portion 261. A connecting groove 264 a opened upwardly is formedin a right side surface of the connecting column 264 in such a manner asto extend in the vertical direction. A projection piece 265 projectsdownwardly from an approximately intermediate position in thelongitudinal direction of a left side edge portion of the limiterportion 260. An elastic piece 266 extending in the longitudinaldirection is formed between the deepest end of the slit 261 of thelimiter portion 260 and the spring catch piece 262. The elastic piece266 is obtained by forming a U-shaped slit opened forwardly andextending longer in the longitudinal direction, thereby swelling aportion surrounded by the U-shaped slit. A projection 266 a is formed onthe back surface of a front end portion of the elastic piece 266 in sucha manner as to slightly project downwardly from the back surface of thelimiter portion 260.

[0132] The limiter portion 260 is overlapped to the rack formationportion 250. The guide projections 254 of the rack formation portion 250are slidably engaged in the slits 263 to be guided of the limiterportion 260 in such a manner as to be prevented from being slipped-offfrom the slits 263 to be guided. The spring catch piece 253 of the rackformation portion 250 is slidably engaged in the slit 261 of the limiterportion 260. The projection 266 a formed on the back surface of thefront end portion of the elastic piece 266 of the limiter portion 260 isslidably engaged in the shallow groove 255 formed in the upper surfaceof the rack formation portion 250. The projection piece 265 of thelimiter portion 260 is positioned in the cutout 256 a formed in the leftside edge of the rack formation portion 250 in such a manner as to bemovable in the longitudinal direction. A limiter spring (tensile coilspring) is stretched between the spring catch piece 253 of the rackformation portion 250 and the spring catch piece 262 of the limiterportion 260. The limiter portion 260 is thus connected to the rackformation portion 250. As viewed from above, the rack teeth 251 of therack formation portion 250 project leftwardly from the left side edge ofthe limiter portion 260.

[0133] The limiter portion 260 is biased to the rack formation portion250 by the limiter spring 267 and is kept as still by the contact of thespring catch piece 253 of the rack formation portion 250 with thedeepest end of the slit 261 of the limiter portion 260. When a forceagainst the biasing force of the limiter spring 267 is applied to thelimiter portion 260, that is, a forward force is applied to the limiterportion 260, the limiter portion 260 is moved forwardly, that is, in thedirection E (see FIG. 25) relative to the rack formation portion 250.The movement of the limiter portion 260 is stopped when the projection266 a of the elastic piece 266 of the limiter portion 260 comes incontact with the front end of the shallow groove 255 of the rackformation portion 250. The assembly of the rack formation portion 250and the limiter portion 260 thus acts as the loading slider 220.

[0134] The loading slider 220 configured as described above isoverlapped on the mode slider 210 in such a manner as to be movable inthe longitudinal direction. To be more specific, the sliding projections257 formed on the back surface of the rack formation portion 250 of theloading slider 220 are slidably engaged in the guide groove 215 formedin the upper surface of the mode slider 210. A hood piece 243, whichprojects leftwardly from the upper edge of a side wall 242 projectingupwardly from the left side edge of the auxiliary member 240, coversfrom above the upper surface of a left side edge portion of the limiterportion 260 of the loading slider 220 (see FIG. 29), thereby preventingthe loading slider 220 from being slipped-off from the mode slider 210.

[0135] In the state in which the mode slider 210 and the loading slider220 are overlapped to each other as described above, the rack teeth 213of the mode slider 210 and the rack teeth 251 of the loading slider 220are disposed in such a manner as to be moved along the same locus asviewed from above; and the projecting rib 256 formed on the rackformation portion 250 of the loading slider 220 is positioned along theleft side of the left side edge of the rack formation portion 211 of themode slider 210, and the cam portion 216 formed on the mode slider 210is positioned on the movement locus of the slits 252 and 261 of theloading slider 220.

[0136] In the state in which the mode slider 210 and the loading slider220 are located at the rear ends of the movement ranges, that is, at theinitial positions (see FIGS. 40 to 43), the rack teeth 251 of theloading slider 220, which are positioned on the upper side, aresubstantially overlapped to the rack teeth 213 of the mode slider 210,which are positioned on the lower side. At this time, since the rackteeth 251 of the loading slider 220 are longer than the rack teeth 213of the mode slider 210, the front end portions of the rack teeth 251 ofthe loading slider 220 project forwardly from the front ends of the rackteeth 213 of the mode slider 210 (see FIG. 43). Also, the cam portion216 of the mode slider 210 is positioned in the slits 252 and 261 of theloading slider 220, and the lock pin 231 of the lock piece 230 isengaged in the engagement cutout 214 of the mode slider 210 to lock themode slider 210 at the initial position. Further, the projecting rib 256of the loading slider 220 is positioned on the left side of the openingof the engagement cutout 214 for preventing the slip-off of the lock pin231 from the engagement cutout 214.

[0137] Further, the restricting piece 144 a formed on the connectingmember 140 of the cartridge holder 120 is placed on the front endportion 216 a of the cam portion 216 of the mode slider 210 disposed atthe initial position, whereby the cartridge holder 120 is positioned atthe rear end of the movement range of the mode slider 210. At this time,the engagement projection 157 a provided on the connecting piece 157 ofthe carrying slider 150 of the cartridge holder 120 is engaged in theconnecting groove 264 a formed in the connecting column 264 of theloading slider 220.

[0138] A disk rotation drive mechanism 270 is disposed at anapproximately central portion of the base chassis 110. The disk rotationdrive mechanism 270 includes a spindle motor 271 fixed on the basechassis 110, and a turn table 272 fixed on an upper end portion of aspindle shaft 271 a of the spindle motor 271. A circular base portion272 a, which is to be fitted in the circular fitting recess 11 b formedin the back surface of the core 11 of the magneto-optical disk 10, isformed on the upper surface of the turn table 272. An annular chuckingmagnet 273 is fixedly buried in the upper surface of the base portion272 a.

[0139] The main body of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus willbe described in detail with reference to FIGS. 25 to 28.

[0140] An optical pickup mechanism 280 is disposed on the base chassis110 at a position offset rightwardly from the disk rotation drivemechanism 270. The optical pickup mechanism 280 has an optical pickupapparatus 281 and a thread mechanism 285 for moving the optical pickupapparatus in the lateral direction, that is, in the direction GH.

[0141] The optical pickup apparatus 281 includes an objective lens 283and other optical components disposed on a slide base 282. A guide shaft284 extending in the lateral direction is disposed on a portion,slightly offset forwardly from an approximately intermediate portion inthe longitudinal direction, of an approximately right half of the uppersurface of the base chassis 110. A front end portion of the slide base282 is slidably supported by the guide shaft 284. Upper and lowersliding pieces 282 a project rearwardly from a rear end portion of theslide base 282. The sliding pieces 282 a are disposed in a state inwhich they hold, from above and below, a rear side opening edge 118 a ofan opening portion 118 formed in a rear end portion of the right half ofthe base chassis 110 in such a manner as to be slidable in the lateraldirection. A rack portion 282 b is formed on a front end portion of theslide base 282.

[0142] The tread mechanism 285 includes a pinion 286 meshed with therack portion 282 b, a thread motor 287, and a transmission gear row 288for transmission the rotation of the thread motor 287.

[0143] A loading drive portion 290 for moving the mode slider 210 andthe loading slider 220 is provided on the base chassis 110. The loadingdrive mechanism 290 includes a pinion 291 for moving the mode slider 210and the loading slider 220, a drive motor 292, and a transmission gearrow 293 for transmitting the rotation of the drive motor 292 to thepinion 291.

[0144] The pinion 291 has a width which allows the pinion 291 to bemeshed with the rack teeth 213 of the mode slider 210 and the rack teeth251 of the loading slider 220. The pinion 291 is located at a positionat which the pinion 291 is slightly in front of the front ends of therack teeth 213 of the mode slider 210 at the initial position and ismeshed with the front end portions of the rack teeth 251 of the loadingslider 220 at the initial position.

[0145] As described above, when the disk cartridge 1 is inserted in thecartridge holder 120 in the normal orientation, the locking of thecarrying slider 150 to the cartridge holder 120 at the standby positionis released, and when the disk cartridge 1 is further inserted in thecartridge holder 120, the carrying slider 150 is pushed by the diskcartridge 1 to be moved forwardly. When the carrying slider 150 isslightly moved forwardly from the standby position, such movement isdetected by the sensor (not shown), and the drive motor 292 of theloading drive portion 290 is driven in the loading direction on thebasis of the detection result of the sensor. As a result, the pinion 291is rotated clockwise as viewed from above via the transmission gear row293. In addition, when the carrying slider 150 is pushed by the diskcartridge 1 to be moved forwardly, a forward movement force is appliedto the loading slider 220 because the loading slider 220 is connected tothe carrying slider 150 via the connecting piece 157 of the carryingslider 150 and the connecting column 264 of the loading slider 220. Inthis case, the loading slider 220 is of a double structure in which thelimiter portion 260 is overlapped to the rack formation portion 250 andis connected thereto via the limiter spring 267, and accordingly, whenthe carrying slider 150 is moved forwardly, the limiter spring 267 isextended and thereby only the limiter portion 260 is moved forwardly,with a result that forcible rotation of the pinion 291 via the rackteeth 251, meshed with the pinion 291, of the rack formation portion 250can be prevented.

[0146] When the pinion 291 is rotated clockwise, the loading slider 220having the rack teeth 251 meshed with the pinion 291 is moved forwardly,that is, in the direction E. When the loading slider 220 is movedforwardly, the carrying slider 150 connected to the loading slider 220is moved forwardly. When the carrying slider 150 is moved forwardly, theengagement projections 183 b and 193 provided on the carrying slider 150are engaged in the left and right cutouts 9 of the disk cartridge 1,whereby the disk cartridge 1 whose left and right sides are held by thecarrying slider 150 is carried forwardly, that is, toward the depth ofthe cartridge holder 120. During a period in which the disk cartridge 1is carried toward the depth of the cartridge holder 120, the shutteropening piece 161 of the shutter opening/closing member 160 enters inthe groove 7 of the disk cartridge 1 to release the locking of theshutter 6 at the close position, and the rear tilt edge of the shutterclosing piece 162 rides on the right side of the intermediate portion 6c of the shutter 6 to be engaged in the engagement hole 6 d formed inthe intermediate portion 6 c of the shutter 6. When the disk cartridge 1is further carried toward the depth of the cartridge holder 120, sincethe front end of the intermediate portion 6 c of the shutter 6 is pushedrelatively, rearwardly by the shutter opening piece 161, the shutter 6is moved toward the open position.

[0147] Immediately before the carrying slider 15 reaches the deepestwithdrawal position, the projecting piece 265 of the loading slider 220is brought into contact with the rear end of the front side piece 211 bto be pushed of the mode slider 210, and the projecting rib 256 of theloading slider 220 is moved forwardly from the position at which itblocks the engagement cutout 214 of the mode slider 210 (see FIGS. 44and 45). Accordingly, during a period in which the carrying slider 150is further moved up to the withdrawal position, the mode slider 210 ispulled forwardly by the loading slider 220 via the projecting rib 265 ofthe loading slider 220 and the front side piece 211 b to be pushed ofthe mode slider 210, to be moved forwardly while the lock pin 231 of thelock piece 230 is removed outwardly from the engagement cutout 214. Themode slider 210 thus becomes a state immediately before the rack teeth213 are meshed with the pinion 291 of the loading drive portion 290 (seeFIG. 45). On the other hand, when the carrying slider 150 reaches thewithdrawal position (see FIG. 19), the rack teeth 251 of the loadingslider 220 are moved forwardly from the pinion 291, that is, the meshingof the rack teeth 251 with the pinion 291 is released, so that theforward movement of the loading slider 220 is stopped.

[0148] The loading of the disk cartridge 1 in the main body of therecording and/or reproducing apparatus is performed by forward movementof only the mode slider 210. Such loading of the disk cartridge 1 willbe described with reference to FIGS. 46 to 49. As the mode slider 210 ismoved forwardly, the cam portion 216 integrally formed on the modeslider 210 is also moved forwardly, so that the restricting piece 144 aformed on the connecting member 140 of the cartridge holder 120 is movedon the cam portion 216 from the rear end portion 216 a to anapproximately central portion of the tilt portion 216 b (see FIG. 47).As a result, the connecting member 140 is turned, by the biasing forceof the tensile coil spring 116, around the pins 142 b and 143 bsupported by the supporting pieces 111 of the base chassis 110 in such amanner that the front end of the connecting member 140 is moveddownwardly. The upper surface of the main support 130 of the cartridgeholder 120 is pushed downwardly by the front end of the main portion 141of the connecting member 140 turned downwardly. The main support 130 isthus moved downwardly with the left and right sliding pins 136 beingguided in the guide grooves 112 a of the guide columns 112 of the basechassis 110 and with the connecting piece 137 at the front end beingguided in the engagement sliding hole 113 a of the engagement piece 113formed on the front end portion of the base chassis 110. Accordingly,the disk cartridge 1 supported by the cartridge holder 120 is moveddownwardly together with the main support 130 (see FIG. 47). In thisway, the turn table 272 of the disk rotation drive mechanism 270relatively enters in the cartridge case 2 via the insertion port 3 ofthe disk cartridge 1 moved downwardly; the base portion 272 a of theturn table 272 is fitted in the fitting recess 11 b of the core 11mounted at the central portion of the magneto-optical disk 10; and thecore 11 is attracted by the chucking magnet 273 buried in the uppersurface of the base portion 272 a, whereby the magneto-optical disk 10is mounted on the turn table 272.

[0149] The loading of the disk cartridge 1 including the withdrawal ofthe disk cartridge 1 in the main body of the recording and/orreproducing apparatus and the mounting of the magneto-optical disk 10 inthe disk rotation drive mechanism 270 is thus ended.

[0150] The positions of the mode slider 210 and the loading slider 220in the loading ended state are referred to as “loading ended positions”.

[0151] In the case of reproducing signals from the magneto-optical disk10, immediately after the loading of the disk cartridge 1 is ended asdescribed, the spindle motor 271 is driven, to rotate themagneto-optical disk 10, and the optical pickup apparatus 281 isoperated while being moved in the lateral direction, to irradiate asignal recording plane of the magneto-optical disk 10 with laser lightand detect the light returned from the signal recording plane, wherebysignals are reproduced from the magneto-optical disk 10.

[0152] The action of the recording and/or reproducing apparatus from theloading ended position to a recording position will be described withreference to FIGS. 38 and 39, and FIGS. 50 to 55.

[0153] In the case of recording signals on the magneto-optical disk 10,the mode slider 210 is further moved forwardly, and an overwritingmagnetic head enters in the cartridge case 2 via a head insertion port5, to be in contact with or in proximity to the back side (uppersurface) of a portion, opposed to the objective lens 283, of themagneto-optical disk 10.

[0154] An overwriting head mechanism 300 provided on the base chassis110 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 38 and 39.

[0155] The overwriting head mechanism 300 has a connecting base body310. The connecting base body 310 made from a synthetic resin is formedinto a plate shape extending substantially in the vertical direction.The connecting base body 310 integrally includes a connecting portion311 having a lower end portion fixed to a front end portion of the slidebase 282 of the optical pickup apparatus 281, a head supporting portion312 projecting rearwardly from the upper end of the connecting portion311, and a restricting arm 313 projecting rearwardly from a right endportion of an upper end portion of the connecting portion 311. A contactportion 313 a projecting leftwardly is formed on a rear end portion ofthe restricting arm 313.

[0156] A magnetic head device 320 is supported on the head supportingportion 312 of the connecting base body 310. The magnetic head device320 includes a head supporting arm 322 for supporting, on its tip side,a magnetic head 321, and an arm supporting plate 323 for supporting theback side of the head supporting arm 322. The head supporting arm 322 isformed by punching an elastic thin metal plate made from phosphorbronze. The head supporting arm 322 integrally includes a base portion322 a, an arm portion 322 b projecting rearwardly from the base portion322 a, and an elastic portion 322 c projecting rearwardly leftwardlyfrom a left end portion of the base portion 322 a. The elastic portion322 c is shorter than the arm portion 322 b. The base portion 322 a isfixed on the upper surface of the head supporting portion 312 of theconnecting base portion 310; the arm portion 322 b and the elasticportion 322 c are tilted rearwardly, downwardly; and the magnetic head321 is supported on the tip portion of the arm portion 322 b.

[0157] The arm supporting plate 323 made from a synthetic resin extendslonger in the longitudinal direction. A portion, near the front end, ofthe arm supporting plate 323 is vertically turnably supported on theleft side surface of a tip portion of the head supporting portion 312 ofthe connecting base body 310. A supporting piece 323 a projectingrightwardly is formed on the rear end of the arm supporting plate 323.The supporting piece 323 a supports the back surface of a tip portion ofthe arm portion 322 b of the head supporting arm 322. A pressing piece323 b projects rightwardly from the upper surface of the portion,turnably supported by the head supporting portion 312, of the armsupporting plate 323. The pressing piece 323 b presses, from above, thebase portion 322 a of the head supporting arm 322. A spring catch piece323 c is formed on a portion, slightly offset rearwardly from theportion turnably supported, of the arm supporting plate 323. A tipportion of the elastic portion 322 c of the head supporting arm 322 isbrought into elastic-contact with the upper surface of the spring catchpiece 323 c. Since the elastic portion 322 c of the head supporting arm322 is brought into elastic-contact with the spring catch piece 323 cand the arm portion 322 b of the head supporting arm 322 is brought intoelastic-contact with the supporting piece 323 a, the arm supportingplate 323 is biased such that a rear end portion thereof is moveddownwardly. A piece 323 d to be operated projects downwardly from afront end portion of the arm supporting plate 323. The piece 323 d isviewed as L-shaped from the right side.

[0158] A head shift plate 330 is vertically turnably disposed on a rightside portion of a front end portion of the base chassis 110. The headshift plate 330 made from a synthetic resin is formed into a plate shapelonger in the approximately lateral direction. Pieces 331 to besupported, projecting forwardly from left and right side ends of thehead shift plate 330 are vertically turnably supported on the front endportion of the base chassis 110. An operating pin 332 projectsleftwardly from the left side edge of the head shift plate 330. Theoperating pin 332 is placed on the upper edge of the cam portion 217formed on the mode slider 210. In addition, an auxiliary piece 217 d ispositioned immediately over the operating pin 332 placed on the upperedge of the cam portion 217 for preventing the operating pin 332 frombeing removed from the upper edge of the cam portion 217. A restrictingpiece 333 projects upwardly from the rear edge of the head shift plate330. The restricting piece 333 is viewed substantially as inverseL-shaped from the right side. The piece 323 d to be operated of the armsupporting plate 323 of the magnetic head device 320 is brought intoelastic-contact with the back surface of an upper side 333 a of therestricting piece 333.

[0159] During a period in which the mode slider 210 is moved from theinitial position to the loading ended position, the operating pin 332 ofthe head shift plate 330 is kept as placed on the low level portion 217b of the cam portion 217 formed on the mode slider 210. As a result, therear end of the head shift plate 330 is kept as located on the lowerside. Accordingly, the rear end of the arm supporting plate 323 whosepiece 323 d pushed downwardly by the restricting piece 333 of the headshift plate 330 is kept as located on the upper side, and the rear endportion, whose back surface is supported by the supporting piece 323 aof the arm supporting plate 323, of the arm portion 322 b of the headsupporting arm 322 is kept as located on the upper side. Consequently,the magnetic head 321 supported by the rear end portion of the armportion 322 b of the head supporting arm 322 is located at a positionbeing not in contact with or in proximity to the magneto-optical disk10.

[0160] In the case of recording signals on the magneto-optical disk 10,the mode slider 210 is further moved forwardly from the loading endedposition. As the mode slider 210 is further moved forwardly from theloading ended position, the operating pin 332 of the head shift plate330 is relatively moved on the upper edge of the cam portion 217 fromthe low level portion 217 b to the tilt portion 217 c (see FIG. 54). Asthe operating pin 332 is moved on the tilt portion 217 c toward the highlevel portion 217 a, the rear end portion of the head shift plate 330 ispushed up via the operating pin 332, whereby the restricting piece 333is moved upwardly. Accordingly, the arm supporting plate 323 is turnedby the biasing force applied thereto in such a manner that the rear endportion thereof is moved downwardly, and thereby the rear end portion ofthe arm portion 322 b of the head supporting arm 322 is moved downwardlyand the magnetic head 321 supported by the rear end portion of the armportion 322 b is also moved downwardly (see FIG. 54). When the operatingpin 332 of the head shift plate 330 reaches the high level portion 217 aof the cam portion 217, the magnetic head 321 is located at the lowestposition. In such a lowest position, the magnetic head 321 enters in thecartridge case 2 through the head insertion port 5 of the disk cartridge1, to be thus in contact with or in proximity to a portion, to beirradiated with laser light emitted from the optical pickup mechanism280, of the upper surface of the magneto-optical disk 10. In such astate, new signals are recorded on the signal recording plane of themagneto-optical disk 10 by irradiating the signal recording plane of themagneto-optical disk 10 with laser light having an intensity larger thanthat used for reproducing by the optical pickup mechanism 280 and alsoimparting a magnetic field to the signal recording plane of themagneto-optical disk 10 by the magnetic head 321. The recording of newsignals is performed by moving the optical pickup mechanism 280 in theradial direction of the magneto-optical disk 10 and also moving themagnetic head 321 together with the optical pickup mechanism 280.

[0161] After the recording of new signals on the magneto-optical disk 10is ended, the drive motor 292 of the loading drive portion 290 is drivenin the unloading direction, to rotate the pinion 291 counterclockwise asviewed from above via the transmission gear row 293. As a result, themode slider 210 whose rack teeth 213 are meshed with the pinion 291 isfirst moved rearwardly, that is, toward the above-described loadingended position. As the mode slider 210 is moved toward the loading endedposition, the operating pin 332 of the head shift plate 330 is moved onthe upper edge of the cam portion 217 of the mode slider 210 from thehigh level portion 217 a to the low level portion 217 b via the tiltportion 217 c, whereby the head shift plate 330 is turned downwardly andthe restricting piece 333 is moved downwardly. Accordingly, the piece323 d to be operated of the arm supporting plate 323 is pusheddownwardly by the upper side 333 a of the restricting piece 333, andthereby the arm supporting plate 323 is turned such that the rear endthereof is moved upwardly. The rear end portion of the arm portion 322 bof the head supporting arm 322 is moved upwardly by the supporting piece323 a of the arm supporting plate 323 turned with its rear end movedupwardly. As a result, the magnetic head 321 supported by the rear endportion of the arm portion 322 b of the head supporting arm 322 is movedupwardly, to be thus separated upwardly from the upper surface of themagneto-optical disk 10. In addition, if a forward movement force isfurther applied to the rear end portion of the arm portion 322 b of thehead supporting arm 322 made from an elastic material for some reason,since the contact portion 313 a of the restricting arm 313 of theconnecting base body 310 is positioned immediately over the rear endportion of the arm portion 322 b of the head supporting arm 322 and therear end portion of the arm portion 322 b of the head supporting arm 322is brought into contact with the contact portion 313 a, the rear endportion of the arm portion 322 b is prevented from being excessivelymoved upwardly.

[0162] In this way, during the period in which the mode slider 210 ismoved from the front end of the movement range to the loading endedposition, the magnetic head 321 is separated from the upper surface ofthe magneto-optical disk 10 and is removed upwardly from the cartridgecase 2 to be returned to the standby position.

[0163] The ejection of the disk cartridge 1 will be described in detailbelow.

[0164] When the operation for ejecting the disk cartridge 1, that is,the ejecting operation is performed, the drive motor 292 of the loadingdrive portion 290 is driven in the unloading direction, to rotate thepinion 291 counterclockwise as viewed from above via the transmissiongear row 293. With this rotation of the pinion 291, the mode slider 210whose rack teeth 213 are meshed with the pinion 291 is first movedrearwardly, that is, toward the initial position. As the mode slider 210is moved toward the initial position, the restricting piece 144 a of theconnecting member 140 of the cartridge holder 120 reaches the rear endportion 216 b of the cam portion 216 via the tilt portion 216 a of theother cam portion 216 of the mode slider 210. When the restricting piece144 a reaches the rear end portion 216 b of the cam portion 216 via thetilt portion 216 a of the cam portion 216, the connecting member 140 isturned against the biasing force of the tensile coil spring 116 suchthat the front end thereof is moved upwardly, and the back surface ofthe portion, near the rear end, of the main support 130 of the cartridgeholder 120 is pushed upwardly by the front end of the connecting member140. As a result, the main support 130 is moved upwardly. Along with theupward movement of the main support 130 of the cartridge holder 120, thecore 11 of the magneto-optical disk 10 is separated upwardly from theturn table 272 of the disk rotation drive mechanism 270.

[0165] When the mode slider 210 is moved up to a position immediatelybefore the initial position, the rear end of the front side piece 211 bto be pushed of the mode slider 210 is brought into contact with thefront edge of the projecting rib 265 of the loading slider 220. As themode slider 210 is moved from such a position to the initial position,the loading slider 220 is slightly moved rearwardly and thereby the rackteeth 251 of the loading slider 220 are meshed with the pinion 291 ofthe loading drive portion 290, and further, the lock pin 231 of the lockpiece 230 is pushed leftwardly by the tilt surface 256 b at the rear endof the projecting rib 256 of the loading slider 220 to be engaged in theengagement cutout 214 of the mode slider 210, whereby the mode slider210 is locked at the initial position. After that, the loading slider220 whose rack teeth 251 are meshed with the pinion 291 is movedrearwardly, that is, toward the initial position by the rotation of thepinion 291.

[0166] As the loading slider 220 is moved toward the initial position,the carrying slider 150 connected to the loading slider 220 via theconnecting column 264 and the connecting piece 157 is moved rearwardly,that is, toward the standby position. During the period in which thecarrying slider 150 is moved toward the standby position, the shutter 6,located at the open position, of the disk cartridge 1, is relativelypulled forwardly by the shutter closing piece 162 engaged in theengagement hole 6 d, to be moved to the close position. When the shutter6 is returned to the close position, the front side tilt edge 162 a ofthe shutter closing piece 162 is slid on the front side opening edge ofthe engagement hole 6 d to be moved rightwardly, with a result that theengagement of the shutter closing piece 162 in the engagement hole 6 dis released. The shutter closing piece 162 is further slid on the outer(right) side surface of the intermediate portion 6 c of the shutter 6 tobe relatively moved forwardly, and then removed from the shutter 6. Whenthe carrying slider 150 reaches the standby position, the loading slider220 also reaches the initial position, and the drive motor 292 of theloading drive portion 290 is stopped.

[0167] When the carrying slider 150 reaches the standby position, mostof the disk cartridge 1 excluding the front end portion projects fromthe rear end of the cartridge holder 120. When the disk cartridge 1 ispulled out of the cartridge holder 120 by an operator gripping theprojecting portion thereof with his or her fingers, the engagementprojection 183 b of the lock lever 180 and the engagement projection 193of the click member 190 are removed from the cutouts 9 of the diskcartridge 1. In this way, the disk cartridge 1 can be easily pulled outof the cartridge holder 120.

[0168] When the disk cartridge 1 is pulled out of the cartridge holder120, the lock lever 180 is turned clockwise as viewed from above, thatis, in the direction CW, so that the lock pin 181 a of the first armpiece 181 is engaged in the lock portion 132 a formed at the rear end ofthe sliding groove 132 of the main support 130; the lock projection 193a of the third arm piece 183 is engaged in the engagement hole 130 dformed in the left side wall 130 c; and the lock member 170 is turneddownwardly and thereby the lock claw 173 of the lock member 170 isengaged in the hole 156 a to be locked of the carrying slider 150,whereby the carrying slider 150 is locked at the standby position.

[0169] While the preferred embodiments of the present invention havebeen described using the specific terms, such description is forillustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes andvariations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A recording and/or reproducing apparatus forrecording and/or reproducing signals on and/or from a recording medium,comprising: recording and/or reproducing means for recording and/orreproducing signals on and/or from said recording medium; carrying meansfor carrying said recording medium; a first slider movable in onedirection for moving said carrying means together with said recordingmedium up to a specific withdrawal position; and a second slider movablein a direction being substantially the same as said one direction formoving said recording medium carried by said carrying means to arecording and/or reproducing position corresponding to a position ofsaid recording and/or reproducing means; wherein said first slider andsaid second slider are overlapped to each other in the verticaldirection.
 2. A recording and/or reproducing apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said recording and/or reproducing means comprises: adisk rotation drive mechanism for rotating a disk as said recordingmedium; and a signal recording and/or reproducing mechanism forrecording and/or reproducing signals on and/or from said disk whilebeing moved in the radial direction of said disk rotated by said diskrotation drive mechanism.
 3. A recording and/or reproducing apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said first slider and said second sliderare driven by one motor.
 4. A recording and/or reproducing apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein said recording and/or reproducing meanscomprises a magnetic head device for recording signals on said disk; andsaid second slider is further movable, after moving said disk to saidrecording and/or reproducing position, in said one direction for movingsaid magnetic head device to a position corresponding to a position ofsaid disk mounted on said disk rotation drive mechanism.
 5. A recordingand/or reproducing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: adisk holder having said carrying means; wherein said disk holdercomprises a main supporting member for movably supporting said carryingmeans, said main supporting member being movable in the directionperpendicular to a main body of said recording and/or reproducingapparatus; and said main supporting member is moved from the upper endto the lower end of a movement range thereof by movement of said secondslider from the initial position to a specific position, to mount saiddisk supported by said carrying means on said disk rotation drivemechanism.
 6. A recording and/or reproducing apparatus according toclaim 3, wherein each of said first slider and said second slider hasrack teeth meshed with a pinion gear rotated by said one motor; untilsaid recording medium is withdrawn from the initial position to saidspecific withdrawal position, only the rack teeth of said first sliderare meshed with said pinion gear and only said first slider is moved byrotation of said pinion gear; at the final stage of said movement ofsaid first slider, said second slider is pushed by said first slider tobe moved in said one direction, whereby the rack teeth of said secondslider are meshed with said pinion gear and the rack teeth of said firstslider are removed from said pinion gear; and only said second slider ismoved in said one direction by further rotation of said pinion gear. 7.A recording and/or reproducing apparatus for recording and/orreproducing signals on and/or from a disk, comprising: a rotation driveportion for rotating said disk mounted thereon; an optical pickupportion for reproducing signals from said disk mounted on said rotationdrive portion; a magnetic head portion for recording signals on saiddisk mounted on said rotation drive portion; a carrying portion forholding said disk inserted from a disk insertion position and carryingsaid disk from said disk insertion position to a loading ended positioncorresponding to a position of said rotation drive portion; a firstslider movable in a disk insertion direction for moving said carryingportion together with said disk to said loading ended position; and asecond slider movable in said disk insertion direction for mounting saiddisk at said loading ended position to said rotation drive portion;wherein said first slider and said second slider are overlapped to eachother in the vertical direction.
 8. A recording and/or reproducingapparatus according to claim 7, wherein said first slider and saidsecond slider are driven by one motor.
 9. A recording and/or reproducingapparatus according to claim 8, wherein said second slider is furthermovable, after mounting said disk to said rotation drive portion, insaid disk insertion direction for moving said magnetic head portion to aposition corresponding to a position of said disk mounted on saidrotation drive mechanism.
 10. A recording and/or reproducing apparatusaccording to claim 9, further comprising: a disk holder having saidcarrying portion; wherein said disk holder comprises a main supportingmember for movably supporting said carrying portion, said mainsupporting member being movable in the direction perpendicular to a mainbody of said recording and/or reproducing apparatus; and said mainsupporting member is moved from the upper end to the lower end of amovement range thereof by movement of said second slider from theinitial position to a specific position, to mount said disk held by saidcarrying portion on said rotation drive mechanism.
 11. A recordingand/or reproducing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of saidfirst slider and said second slider has rack teeth meshed with a piniongear rotated by said one motor; until said disk is withdrawn from theinitial position to said specific withdrawal position, only the rackteeth of said first slider are meshed with said pinion gear and onlysaid first slider is moved by rotation of said pinion gear; at the finalstage of said movement of said first slider, said second slider ispushed by said first slider to be moved in said one direction, wherebythe rack teeth of said second slider are meshed with said pinion gearand the rack teeth of said first slider are removed from said piniongear; and only said second slider is moved in said one direction byfurther rotation of said pinion gear.
 12. A recording and/or reproducingapparatus comprising: a recording medium cartridge holding portion inwhich a recording medium cartridge, configured such that a recordingmedium is contained in a flat cartridge case formed into a rectangularshape having a long-side and short-side, is inserted with its long-sideportion directed forwardly in the insertion direction, said recordingmedium cartridge holding portion comprising: a main support portion; acarrying portion, supported on said main support portion in such amanner as to be movable from a standby position to a specific withdrawalposition, for withdrawing said recording medium cartridge held at saidstandby position to said specific withdrawal position; a lock portionfor locking said carrying portion at said standby position; and aninsertion restricting portion for prohibiting the passing of saidrecording medium cartridge inserted in an orientation other than anormal orientation; wherein said lock portion releases the locking ofsaid carrying portion by said recording medium cartridge passing throughsaid insertion restricting portion.
 13. A recording and/or reproducingapparatus according to claim 12, wherein said carrying portion comprisesa turning lever turned between a first position and a second position;and said turning lever is turned from said first position to said secondposition by said recording medium cartridge passing through saidinsertion restricting portion, to release the locking of said carryingportion to said main support portion.
 14. A recording and/or reproducingapparatus according to claim 13, wherein said turning lever comprises: afirst arm portion to be engaged to a bent portion of a guide grooveformed in said main support portion; a second arm portion to be engagedin a hole portion formed in said main support portion; and a third armportion provided at a position at which said third arm portion crossessaid first arm portion and said second arm portion at approximatelyright angles; wherein when said third arm portion is turned by thecontact thereof with said recording medium cartridge passing throughsaid insertion restricting portion, the engagement of said first armportion in said bent portion is released and said first arm portion isengaged in a sliding groove provided in such a manner as to becontinuous to said bent portion and to be substantially in parallel tothe movement direction of said carrying portion, and also the engagementof said second arm portion in said hole portion is released and saidsecond arm portion is engaged with said recording medium cartridge,whereby the locking of said carrying portion at said standby position isreleased; and said carrying portion is allowed to carry said recordingmedium cartridge from said standby position to said withdrawal position.15. A recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to claim 12,wherein said insertion restricting portion is formed into a flat plateshape being substantially in parallel to a principal plane of saidrecording medium cartridge, and is disposed at a position correspondingto a position of a groove formed in a corner portion of a side surface,on the insertion end side, of said recording medium cartridge which isinserted in said recording medium cartridge holding portion in a normalorientation.
 16. A recording and/or reproducing apparatus according toclaim 15, wherein if said recording medium cartridge is inserted in saidrecording medium cartridge holding portion with an end surface opposedto an end surface selected as the insertion end surface at the time ofnormal insertion directed forwardly in the insertion direction, saidinsertion restricting portion is brought into contact with said endsurface of said recording medium cartridge, to thereby prevent improperinsertion of said recording medium cartridge.
 17. A recording and/orreproducing apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said groove isformed in the corner portion of the side surface, on the insertion endside, of said recording medium cartridge in such a manner as to beoffset toward one principal plane side of said recording mediumcartridge; and if said recording medium cartridge is inserted in saidrecording medium cartridge holding portion with a principal planeopposed to a principal plane selected as the upper surface at the timeof normal insertion taken as the upper surface, said insertionrestricting portion is brought into contact with said insertion end ofsaid recording medium cartridge, to thereby prevent improper insertionof said recording medium cartridge.
 18. A recording and/or reproducingapparatus according to claim 15, wherein if said recording mediumcartridge is inserted in said recording medium cartridge holding portionwith its short-side portion directed forwardly in the insertiondirection, the locking of said carrying portion to said main supportportion by said lock portion, which releases the locking only by saidrecording medium cartridge passing through said insertion restrictingportion, is not released, to thereby prevent improper insertion of saidrecording medium cartridge.
 19. A recording medium cartridge holder inwhich a recording medium cartridge, configured such that a recordingmedium is contained in a flat cartridge case formed into a rectangularshape having a long-side and short-side, is inserted with its long-sideportion directed forwardly in the insertion direction, said recordingmedium cartridge holder comprising: a main support portion; a carryingportion, supported on said main support portion in such a manner as tobe movable from a standby position to a specific withdrawal position,for withdrawing said recording medium cartridge held at said standbyposition to said specific withdrawal position; a lock portion forlocking said carrying portion at said standby position; and an insertionrestricting portion for prohibiting the passing of said recording mediumcartridge inserted in an orientation other than a normal orientation;wherein said lock portion releases the locking of said carrying portionby said recording medium cartridge passing through said insertionrestricting portion.
 20. A recording medium cartridge holder accordingto claim 19, wherein said carrying portion comprises a turning leverturned between a first position and a second position; and said turninglever is turned from said first position to said second position by saidrecording medium cartridge passing through said insertion restrictingportion, to release the locking of said carrying portion to said mainsupport portion.
 21. A recording medium cartridge holder according toclaim 20, wherein said turning lever comprises: a first arm portion tobe engaged to a bent portion of a guide groove formed in said mainsupport portion; a second arm portion to be engaged in a hole portionformed in said main support portion; and a third arm portion provided ata position at which said third arm portion crosses said first armportion and said second arm portion at approximately right angles;wherein when said third arm portion is turned by the contact thereofwith said recording medium cartridge passing through said insertionrestricting portion, the engagement of said first arm portion in saidbent portion is released and said first arm portion is engaged in asliding groove provided in such a manner as to be continuous to saidbent portion and to be substantially in parallel to the movementdirection of said carrying portion, and also the engagement of saidsecond arm portion in said hole portion is released and said second armportion is engaged with said recording medium cartridge, whereby thelocking of said carrying portion at said standby position is released;and said carrying portion is allowed to carry said recording mediumcartridge from said standby position to said withdrawal position.
 22. Arecording medium cartridge holder according to claim 19, wherein saidinsertion restricting portion is formed into a flat plate shape beingsubstantially in parallel to a principal plane of said recording mediumcartridge, and is disposed at a position corresponding to a position ofa groove formed in a corner portion of a side surface, on the insertionend side, of said recording medium cartridge which is inserted in saidrecording medium cartridge holder in a normal orientation.
 23. Arecording medium cartridge holder according to claim 22, wherein if saidrecording medium cartridge is inserted in said recording mediumcartridge holder with an end surface opposed to an end surface selectedas the insertion end surface at the time of normal insertion directedforwardly in the insertion direction, said insertion restricting portionis brought into contact with said end surface of said recording mediumcartridge, to thereby prevent improper insertion of said recordingmedium cartridge.
 24. A recording medium cartridge holder according toclaim 22, wherein said groove is formed in the corner portion of theside surface, on the insertion end side, of said recording mediumcartridge in such a manner as to be offset toward one principal planeside of said recording medium cartridge; and if said recording mediumcartridge is inserted in said recording medium cartridge holder with aprincipal plane opposed to a principal plane selected as the uppersurface at the time of normal insertion taken as the upper surface, saidinsertion restricting portion is brought into contact with saidinsertion end of said recording medium cartridge, to thereby preventimproper insertion of said recording medium cartridge.
 25. A recordingmedium cartridge holder according to claim 22, wherein if said recordingmedium cartridge is inserted in said recording medium cartridge holderwith its short-side portion directed forwardly in the insertiondirection, the locking of said carrying portion to said main supportportion by said lock portion, which releases the locking only by saidrecording medium cartridge passing through said insertion restrictingportion, is not released, to thereby prevent improper insertion of saidrecording medium cartridge.
 26. A recording and/or reproducing apparatusfor recording and/or reproducing signals on and/or from a recordingmedium, comprising: a recording and/or reproducing portion for recordingand/or reproducing signals on and/or from said recording medium; arecording medium cartridge holding portion in which a recording mediumcartridge, configured such that a recording medium is contained in aflat cartridge case formed into a rectangular shape having a long-sideand short-side, is inserted with its long-side portion directedforwardly in the insertion direction, said recording medium cartridgeholding portion comprising: a main support portion; a carrying portion,supported on said main support portion in such a manner as to be movablefrom a standby position to a specific withdrawal position, forwithdrawing said recording medium cartridge held at said standbyposition to said specific withdrawal position; a lock portion forlocking said carrying portion at said standby position; and an insertionrestricting portion for prohibiting the passing of said recording mediumcartridge inserted in an orientation other than a normal orientation; afirst slider movable in one direction for moving said carrying portiontogether with said recording medium cartridge up to a specificwithdrawal position; and a second slider movable in a direction beingsubstantially the same as said one direction for moving said recordingmedium cartridge carried by said carrying portion to a recording and/orreproducing position corresponding to a position of said recordingand/or reproducing portion; wherein said lock portion releases thelocking of said carrying portion by said recording medium cartridgepassing through said insertion restricting portion; and said firstslider and said second slider are overlapped to each other in thevertical direction.